IPL 2025: Tom Moody advises Shreyas Iyer to ‘put your ego in your pocket’ while speaking on dismissal in Qualifier 1

Former Australian cricketer and renowned commentator, Tom Moody, was critical of Shreyas Iyer’s approach while batting against Josh Hazlewood in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Iyer holds a lackluster record against Hazlewood in T20s.

Moody felt Iyer ‘totally misread the game situation and his own situation’ while facing the Australian quick.

“The first ball he played and missed – the perfect line that you’d expect Hazlewood to bowl. He sort of played at it, but didn’t really want to play at it. And then, that third ball he got out. To me, he totally misread the game situation and his own situation. Yes, he would be aware that Hazlewood has had him a few times in the past. He would know the exact numbers.” discussed Moody while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Moody, who has coached the Punjab-based franchise from 2008 to 2010, felt Iyer should have tried negating Hazlewood’s threat instead of trying to take him on.

“At times, you need to put your ego in your pocket and just move forward. To me that was the perfect example of not reading the situation – trying to overcome something that has been a darkness in the past instead of just swallowing your pride and just moving on by just accumulating. You only had to see Hazlewood out. It was a simple thing – see him out and look to dissect the rest of their attack,” he added.

Iyer was dismissed via a rash hoick across the line to a good length delivery by Hazlewood. The thick edge was pouched by Jitesh Sharma, with Iyer having to walk back for two off three. This was the fourth time Hazlewood had got the better of Iyer in T20s in the 22 deliveries bowled to the latter.

PBKS will take on the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday, June 1. They would be keen on putting on a much better display after a humbling eight-wicket defeat against RCB on Thursday, May 29.